On a blustery January evening, four hundred wonderful humans packed into The Strand’s rare book room for a night celebrating Eye Level.

Over drinks and small bites, we shared the story of how Eye Level came to be, then officially pressed publish on Issue One.

After a particularly tumultuous week (ah-hem, inauguration), the night was a welcome opportunity to champion the issues we hold most dear —inclusivity, diversity, creativity, freedom, unity — and a wonderful reminder of the unique magic that happens when book lovers come together.

The night commenced with readings from nine literary New Yorkers, who shared brief passages from books that have been meaningful to them.

Here is the list of readers, along with their chosen books, if you’d like to check them out: